Manual co-axial switch



wi s June 14, 1960 D. H. LANCTOT 2,941,164

MANUAL CO-AXIAL SWITCH Filed Jan. 18, 1957 INVENTOR. DONALD H. LANCTOT BYWfifiQd Arroem-XS MANUAL CO-AXIAL SWITCH Filed Jan. 18, 1957, Ser. No. 634,982

9 Claims. (Cl. 333-7) This invention relates generally to electrical switches and more particularly to manually operable switches for transferring high frequency energy between different coaxial lines.

High frequency co-axial switches are well known in the art and have been provided in a variety of different designs. It is desirable in such switches that connections between one co-axial connector and one of several other connector sections be effected directly without having to switch through the other sections. Further, it is important that cross talk between adjacent co-axial connectors be eliminated. Another desirable feature of such switches is that all of the coaxial connectorsto which co-axial lines are to be connected and between which switching connections are to be made, face in the same direction for easy access and simple mounting oncontrol panels. In addition, it is most important that switches for co-axial systems provide a proper impedance match so that no reflections occur in the linesand that they may be substantially dirt anddust proof.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved manually operable co-axial switch meeting all of the above noted desirable features.

More particularly, it is an object to provide a coaxial switch for transferring electromagnetic energy from a single input co-axial connector to any one of several output co-axial connectors by means of a simple single manual operation.

Another object is to provide a switch of the above type which will automatically return to a neutral position in which no connection is made upon release of the man-- ual operating handle portion of the switch such that the switch of this embodiment fails-safe.

Still another object is to provide a switch incorporating a slight modification to the above design such that the manually operable portion works on a toggle principle whereby a positive connection is effected once the switch has been moved towards one position or another,

Yet another important object is to provide a manually operable switch which is maintained substantially dirt and dust proof even during successive incremental movements of the switching operation.

These and many other objects and advantages of the present invention are attained by providing a casing having a front face mounting a center and at least tWo outside co-axial connectors. The inner conductors of these connectors terminate within a chamber interiorally formed within the casing. Resiliently mounted conducting bars are cantilevered within the chamber from the innerconductors of the various outside connectors and extend inwardly towards each other in a position to en-v gage a single contact surface associated with the inner conductor of the central co-axial connector. Suitable push rods are coupled to these conductor bars to move them into and out of contact with the central contact surface upon actuation of a switch arm extending out an opposite face of the casing. The switch arm itself is.

movably mounted in the casing in such a manner to ex- Patented June 14, 1960 elude dirt and dust from the interior chamber through all positions it may assume. The arrangement is such that either a continued pressure is required on the switch arm to maintain one given set of connections or the switch arm structure may be designed to act in accordance with a toggle principle to stay in any definite position to which it is moved. Further, the symmetry of the structure is such that more than two co-axial output connectors may be formed on the front face in a circular pattern about the central co-axial connector whereby a plurality of different types of connections may be made.

The entire structure is not only dust proof, but meets the necessary requirements of impedance matching and excellent isolation between the connectors when not in use.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view or" one embodiment of the co-axial switch of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational cross sectional view of the switch of Figure 1 illustrating the switching com ponents in one position;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the manually operable switch arm portion of the switch illustrated in Figure. 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating the switching components in another position;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified manual switch arm; and,

Figure 6 illustrates a modified component of the switch illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 for providing toggle action.

Referring to Figure 1, one embodiment of the manual co-axial switch of this invention is shown as comprising an outer casing 10 having a cover plate 11 on its rear portion. The cover plate 11 supports a switch arm housing 12 terminating in a round cover 13 containing a slot S from which protrudes a switch arm 14. The opposite face of the casing 10 includes co-axial connectors 15, 16 and 17. Preferably, the central coaxial connector 16 serves as an input connector and the two outside connectors 15 and 17 as output connectors, whereby radiant energy passed into the central connector may be switched to either one of the output connectors depend-- ing upon the position of the switch arm 14. 7

Referring now to Figure 2, the switch arm 14 is shown thrown to the left, and in this particular embodiment, the construction is such that the switch arm must be manually held in the position illustrated in order to maintain a connection. As shown the arm 14 passes inwardly through an annular peripheral bearing surface 18 to terminate in an hemispherical surface 19 adapted to bear against the annular surface 18.

An annular laterally extending flange 20 forms the base of the hemisphere 19 and is arranged to engage a suitable push rod 21 guided within a guide sleeve 22 and biased normally upwardly by a spring 23 all housed within the switch arm housing 12. The lower end ofthe push rod 21 is coupled to a conductor bar 24 having pne of its ends in turn resiliently mounted by a spring 25 to Similarly, another portion of the peripheral flange 29 forming an integral part of the hemispherical portion 19 is arranged to engage a second push rod 29 suitably guided by a guide sleeve 30 and biased to an -upper position by a spring 31. The lower end of the push rod, 29 is coupled to a second conductorbar 32having its one end in turn resiliently mounted by a spring 33 to the-inner conductor 34- of'another outside co-axial conmotor 17. The inner'endedof-the conductorbar- 52--isadapted to engage the conducting surface 27 when in its connected position. As shown in Figure 2, the end 35 of- 'the conductor bar 32 is actually 'in contaet'with a: second contact surface 36 grounded to the casing atop 1L and through the: casing- 10- to all of=the-Outside' con ductors of the vario'uscoaxial-connectors:

A-central'spring' 37- is f illustrated within the switch housing lz and is adapted to bear underthe -central portion-of-the annularflange 20 topressthe hemispherr calisurface 19 into continuous contact with the-annularsurface 18 -such-that at no timeis the interior-of the switch arm casingexposed to the exterior.

It' will be -evident'from Figure 2 that inithe positio'nshown, the central co axial connector 16 is in electrical connection with the outside co-axial' connector ls. The

dimensioning of the-"conductor -bar --24 aridthe-"interior portion of the 'casing-10 is such that a proper imped ance match is maintained between the two co-axial connectors. The grounding-f the-conduCtor'barBZ- asby its end 35 engaging-the grounding contactsurface 36,

on the other hand, completely isolates the output coaxial connector 17 from-the other--two co-axial connectors. It will-also-be-evidentfrom'iFigure 2 that the-return biasing spring 23 forthe push rod- 21 exerts an' in order to maintain a connectionbetweenthe central conductor 16 and either-oneof the'outputco-axial connectors. or 17.

Figure 3 illustrates in plan view'thesymmetrical arrangement of the hemispherical guiding-annular surface- 18 and illustrates in dotted lines the slot- S in the-cap 13 such that movement ofthe protruding switch arm is guided in this slot to move in a rectilinear manner; I

Figure 4 illustrates the switch of Figure 2 in its sec+ ond position wherein the central co axialconnector 16'' is, now connected to the-output co axial connector '17 and the inner conductor of the-co-axial connector 15 is grounded. Theconductor bar 32 of'Figure 2 and also in Figure 4 is dimensioned together with the inte'rion portion of the-casing lit-such that a proper impedance match is also maintained between the central connector 16 andoutside connector 17 aswasthe case between the co-axial connectors-16 and 15 when the-switch-wa's' i'n'the position shown in Figure 2. 1

In Figure 5 there is illustrated a modified type'oft'op cover 38 providedwith two perpendicularlyintersecting slots 39 and 40 from the center of which extends a manually operableswitch arm 4l; In this embodiment,

the-casing is cylindrical inshape rather than rectangular and there are provided two additional-coaxial output connectors disposed in a symmetrical array about thecentral connector 16. I The two'slots 39 and-40 serve to guide'side-wise and back and forth movements, rrespectively, of the switcharmtlsuch that-'tlne cent'ralconnec-- tor 16 may be arbitrarily connected-to any one'of' foilr output ce-axial connectors uponnnanua-l -movement of the switch'arm 41in the proper direction".

Figure 6 illustrates a modifiedstructure foithe switch armin order-to provide'a toggleactionwhich'modifiedstructure may be readily incorporated'in the embodiment illustrated in FiguresZ and 4.

InFigure 6 there is illustrated-a sWitch arm' tZ- termi nating in a hemispherical-guiding surface 43"having"an'- annul'a'r flan'ge 44 similar to' the switch- '14; hemi sphericaltsurface 19 and annular fiange of Fig'nre 2.

Howeven'the' lowerportion of the fian'ge -"d t includes an extended spacing element 45 and a central nipple 46-for-seeurement-to the upper end or a control spring 47 analogous to the spring 37 of Figure 2. By spacing the pressure contact point of'the upper end of the spring 47 below the center of the hemispherical surface 43, when the switch arm structure as shown-in Figure 6 is embodied in the structures of Figures 2 and 4, the pressure exerted by the spring 47, corresponding to the spring 37, will now tend to be overcentered'by the distance d. Thus, once the switch arm 14 is moved towardsone position or another, the spring pressure'will be such' as to throw the switch completely over in' a toggle manner. i

It is to be particularly noted that the provision of the hemispherical surface. 19 and the annular engaging surface 18 completely blocks any dust' from entering the switch at any position the switch arm may assume. Further, because of the symmetry of the structure of Figmesa and 4 about'the vertical control axis, more than four output co-axialconriectors may be provided all havirig radially inwardly associated conductor bars.v The? entire structure is reliable and is capable of long-maintenance free use because of the simplicity in the mechanical arrangement ofth'e push 'rod 'actuatedcon-- ducting bars as shown and described. Further, the

proper-dimensioning'of the'interior in all respects main tains an 'excellent'impedance match and the grounding outfeature of the unconnected output co-axial connec tors insuresa minimum of cross-talk or interference therebetween' and those co-axial connectors in operation.

Various modifications within the "scope and spirit of the present invention will occurto those skilled in the art; The invention is, therefore, not to be thought of as limitedi'to the particular embodiments shown for illustrative purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. A co-axial switch comprising, in combination: a

casing; co-axial connectors including'a center co-axial connector and at least/one outside co-axial connector mounted on one side-face of said casing, the inner conductors of said connectors extending respectively into said side face to terminate within a chamber in said casing; a conductor bar insaid chamber resiliently mounted at one end' to the end'of one of saidinner'conductors and having: its other. end terminating adjacent the end of the other of said inner conductors; a switch arm"hous'ing-extending frorna side face of'said' casing opposite said one side face, the upper portion of said housing terminating in an opening havingran annular bearing surface; a switch arm passing throughsaid opening and terminatingin' a hemispherical portion adapted to bear against said annular bearing surface such that dirt and dust are blockedfrom theinterior ofsaid housing; an annularfiangelaterally extending from: the base ofi-said hemispherical portion; push rod means having one end'ad'apted to'be engaged and longitudinally moved by said flange upon movement of said switch arm, and having its other'end coupled to 'said'conductor bar'for moving said conductor bar into and out of electrical contact with the end of said other of said inner conductors.

2. A switch according to claim 1, including a central spring in-s aid switch' armhousingbiasing said hemispher- .ical portion intoven'gagement with said annularbearing surface, the pressure pointofaction ofisaidspring'being substantially co-extensive-with the center of the baseof said hemispherical portion; and'bias means associated Withsaid push'rodtendirig to move'said push rod'against'said flange. i

' 3. A switch according to claim 1, includinga central spring in saidaswitch' arm housing extending coaxially with. said center-*connector'and biasing said hemispherical per-- tion into engagement with said. annular surface, the. pres-" sure 'point or: action of said spring being spaced fromsthe' center of the base of said hemispherical portion whereby said switch arm is biased to one position when moved towards said position from a center position.

4. A manually operable coaxial switch comprising, in combination: a casing, a center and at least two outside coaxial connectors mounted on one face of said casing and having their inner conductors passing into said casing to terminate in a chamber therein; conducting means in said chamber resiliently mounted to the ends of the inner conductors of said outside coaxial connectors and extending towards each other to terminate adjacent the inner conductor of said center coaxial connector; a switch arm housing extending from a face of said casing opposite said one face and terminating in an opening defined by an annular bearing surface; a switch arm passing through said opening and having an hemispherical portion; spring means within said housing biasin said hemispherical portion into engagement with said annular bearing surface such that dirt and dust are blocked from the interior of said housing and chamber for any position of said switch arm; and at least two push rods extending from said housing on opposite sides of said spring means into said chamber, the respective lower ends'of said push rods being coupled to corresponding ones of said conducting means and the respective upper ends of said push rods being positioned for engagement by said switch arm upon canting movement of said switch arm from one side to another whereby either one of said outside coaxial connectors may be electrically connected to said center coaxial connector upon movement of its associated push rod by said switch arm.

5. A switch according to claim 4, in which the interior dimensions of said chamber and the exterior dimensions of said conducting means are such as to provide an impedance match between said center coaxial connector and the outside coaxial connector to which a connection may be made.

6. A switch according to claim 5, including a ground contact secured to said casing in spaced relationship to said end of said inner conductor for said center coaxial connector, said groundcontact being adapted to be engaged by any one of said contacting means not in electrical connection with said center coaxial connector whereby that outside coaxial connector not connected to said center coaxial connector is isolated from said center coaxial connector.

7. A switch according to claim 6 in which pressure point of action of said central spring is substantially co- 8. extensive with the center of the base of said hemispherical portion; and bias means associated with each of said push rods tending to move said push rods against said switch arm whereby continual manual pressure on said switch arm is necessary to maintain said electrical connection.

8. A coaxial switch comprising in combination: a casing; coaxial connectors including a center coaxial con nector and at least one outside coaxial connector mounted on one said face of said casing, the inner conductors of said connector extending respectively into said side face to terminate within a chamber in said casing, conducting means in said chamber resiliently mounted at one end to the end of one of said inner conductors and having its other end terminating adjacent the end of the other of said inner conductors; a switch arm housing extending from a side face of said casing opposite said one side face, the upper portion of said housing terminating in an opening having an annular and generally spherical bearing surface; a switch arm passing through said opening and having a hemispherical portion adapted to bear against said annular bearing surface such that dirt and dust are blocked from the interior of said housing; push rod means having one end adapted to be engaged and longitudinally moved by said switch arm upon movement of said switch arm and having its other end coupled to said conducting means for moving said conducting means into and out of electrical contact with the end of said other of said inner conductors.

9. A switch according to claim 8 including a central spring in said switch arm housing biasing said hemispherical portions into engagement with said annular spherical bearing surface, the pressure point of action'of said spring being substantially coextensive with the center of the base of said hemispherical portion; and bias means associated with said push rod tending to move said push rod against said switch arm.

References Eited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,171,267 Doty Aug. 29, 1939 2,498,907 Atwood Feb. 28, 1950 2,697,767 Charles Dec. 21, 1954 2,859,311 Concelman Nov. 4, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 573,498 France June 25, 1924 657,458 Germany Feb. 17, 1938 

